Kapex problem Poll

[honeydoman]

diver,

have not heard of that problem but I am sure if you have so do others.  I agree about this saw it needs some mfg issues fixed and corrected, which I believe they are working on and have been working on.

the only problems is this month, october, they do not want any of the engineers working on it till November,  why............. OCTOBERFEST!!!    drink and be marry! ;D

 

[jmbfestool]

If the problems you are experiencing are as bad as you say, just send it back and get a replacement, let your dealer know you want a new saw, that simple!

Not that simple here in Oz. Once it's more than a month old, it's bad luck and must be fixed under warranty, I've had it for about nine months. If it had these faults on day 1 to 14 I would have returned it for a full refund and bought something else that has some reliability history.

What you are experiencing does not sound at all like a Festool, sure there are a few issues with the saw that have been addressed and are being corrected.

It may not be what Festool is reknowned for but from what I've researched, this is what the Kapex is really like. Basically a beta test piece of hardware that us poor sucker users are helping to iron out the bugs at our expense. Given the large number of reported problems for such a small shipment, this release is a failure for Festool.

I love a three year warranty, I just rather not have to use is over and over again.

Maybe this time Festool will own up to the faulty first edition shipped to Australia and offer a free new replacement. But I won't hold my breath.

Until the Kapex is finally made solid, I won't purchase anymore Festool gear for fear of getting another lemon. Except for consumables for what I already own.

I just hope the Mid 2008 model is a much better standard than the mid 2007 first release model. Otherwise the Kapex will disappear quicker than the Toolie.

Im glad there are forums like this because it has stopped me from buying the Kapex. The millwuake seems a more reliable saw to me. I just wish I waited when i bought the new festool T15+3 lithium drill to see if it has faults. Which I it has and I was the tester. Two brand new drills both stoped working within a month.

 

[pierreblonde]

The kapex is not perfect or without some problem's , BUT its the best most accurate saw I've ever had , and I've had a few !

 

[clischy]

I've had my Kapex about two weeks and have had no problems.  I did upgrade to the 36mm hose and it makes a huge difference in dust collection from the standard hose.  I also tried out the hold down and it's so easy I think I'll actually use it.  I've added the Kreg stop to a six foot table to on the left side of the saw and will add two feet to the right.  Not a great solution for cuts under 11 inches but other wise a nice upgrade.

The laser takes a little getting used to for exact cuts but so far no issues.  Moves easily and locks down tight.  Precision over my Makita is amazing and the bevel control is great.  Should go the distance and for now I can't see what would need to be changed to make it better.  I'm sure there will be improvements.

Wings are way overpriced but that's Festool.  Good value to not so good value.  Drill are about 25% overpriced and have stayed with Li-ON Makita's.  Work great.

 

[3mbjts]

How do people feel now about the Kapex problems? Have most of the problems discussed been addressed by Festool? Still waiting to purchase.

 

[johnsonri]

I've had it for several months now. No problems to report. I love it. I do wish that the table was a little bigger, but no deal breaker.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

How do people feel now about the Kapex problems? Have most of the problems discussed been addressed by Festool? Still waiting to purchase.

I think your question will be best answered by the up-dated poll at http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=6538.0 (voting still open) which has the following results so far:

---------------------------
Question: Were you considering, or have you purchased a Kapex and ?  (Voting closes: 12-05-2009, 17:44:54)

No problems at All works like a charm  22 (29.7%)
Problem from start but fixed  2 (2.7%)
Problem from start not fixed yet  1 (1.4%)
Developed problem but fixed  7 (9.5%)
Developed problem not fixed yet  0 (0%)
Waiting till problems resolved before buying  8 (10.8%)
I've decided not to buy the Kapex due to the problems  4 (5.4%)
I've decided not to buy the Kapex due to the price  6 (8.1%)
I've decided not to buy the Kapex because I don't need a power miter saw  3 (4.1%)
I've decided not to buy the Kapex because I am happy with my current miter saw  9 (12.2%)
I've decided not to buy the Kapex for some other reason (please explain)  0 (0%)
Waiting until I can afford it  12 (16.2%)
----------------------

Note that the most popular answer (with nearly 30%) was  "No problems at All works like a charm".

Forrest

 

[erikfsn]

I've had mine since last summer. No problems. Like my other Festools, it's a cut above the rest. 

 

[Frank Pellow]

How do people feel now about the Kapex problems? Have most of the problems discussed been addressed by Festool? Still waiting to purchase.

I think your question will be best answered by the up-dated poll at http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=6538.0 (voting still open) which has the following results so far:

...

Note that the most popular answer (with nearly 30%) was  "No problems at All works like a charm".

Forrest

Thanks Forrest.  Also, there is only one person who responded to the poll who still has any problems. 

 

[Spike]

Wow, I haven't had time to keep up with the FOG these last few months, and thought my Kapex was the only one having issues, guess not.

Has anybody had bevel creep issues when using the 0-47 setting.  I was doing some compound miters with my bevel around 32 degrees, and though being careful not to induce any side force, after a few cuts I would find that it slipped 2 degrees.  They told me I needed to take apart the back spring assembly and clean the mating surfaces, check spring tension, list goes on.......  All I can say is how did this saw make it to market.

I think they should be recalled directly by Festool and refit with necessary parts and reshipped,  or replaced in whole.  I guess every company blunders at some point, but the fact that this saw has been in production for the European market for over a year it's quite surprising the US release has seen such a variety of issues.

Sadly their flagship has some holes in it and is going down. 

Germans will NEVER admit a mistake. The Kapex we all have is the Kapex we are getting. If you desire repeatability and smoothness of miter scale the Makita 10", the Milwaukee 12", or the DeWalt Italian made 8.5" DW712 are the saws to get.

 

[TomE]

While we're at it I'll bump this thread up.
Looks like last post here was 2009.

My Kapex is still going strong
date stamp 03/10
When I bought mine the only issue I was aware of was a 'squealing/scraping' of the miter lock spring, and issue mine did not have

 

[Bohdan]

[member=57769]TylerC[/member]

Maybe we should have the poll resurrected to see what the current status is.

 

[Rob in Vancouver]

I got a new Kapex in May 2015. I had to wait 2 months for it.
During that time I read lots of stories of how the armature on the motor gets fried.  Just ask google.  Lits of examples of this on the FOG.
Needless to say I have buyers remourse. 
When the saw is out of warranty the repair bill to fix the motor is $800
Work out the math,  this is a very expensive saw plus you run the risk of having to fork over another $800 to fix it.
How many saws have you owned have burnt a motor?
And if you did need to replace the motor did the manufacturer gouge you for $800??

 

[Ajax]

Bought my Kapex in July of this year.  No problems thus far (knock on wood).  Some of these latest posts on the Kapex seem way over the top and make me suspicious.  New members with a whole host of Festool failures in just a few months?  Hmmm....

I do know that you pay extra for Festools because they have good warranties and excellent customer service.  To have a whole host of tools go bad and not have very much info on what customer service said or did about it all is very strange.

 

[ghostofhoward]

Go ahead and be suspicious, when yours burns up you will understand the frustration we are feeling with a $1450 tool being a lemon. Until then enjoy the kapex.

 

[L.J]

Go ahead and be suspicious, when yours burns up you will understand the frustration we are feeling with a $1450 tool being a lemon. Until then enjoy the kapex.

Well said !!!!

 

[Rob in Vancouver]

Go ahead and be suspicious, when yours burns up you will understand the frustration we are feeling with a $1450 tool being a lemon. Until then enjoy the kapex.

I agree with you well said

 

[Holmz]

....

I do know that you pay extra for Festools because they have good warranties and excellent customer service.
...

Or it is just good marketing.
The "try for a month" is a good strategy.

Most manufactures have tools that are durable and also have warranties.

But I buy my tools primarily based upon quality and usefulness, not the systainer type, nor the customer service.
And if I think it will break I avoid buying it in the first place.

 

[Rob in Vancouver]

As far as the Kapex goes,  I put mine up for sale today. I got it in May 2015.

I'm fed up with the following.

1. No miter micro adjust knob (like they have on the bevel and like every other premium saw has)

2. I cant figure out why when you put 1/2 inch thick zero clearance fence you lose the ability to use the hold down.

3. Numerous problems being reported here and else where with reliability,  namely motors burning out.

4. I will not be able to afford the repair costs of fixing a motor burn out when the machine is out of warranty.  Last posting on the FOG stated it was in the range of $800 CAD

5. The machine launches cut pieces,  sometimes violently once the cut is made.  Yes I wait for the blade to stop before lifting,  yes I make the blade make the cut without forcing it,  yes I wait for the blade to come to full speed before cutting... Etc... Etc...

I was in love with the idea of owning a Kapex,  now I realize the error of my desires.....

Don't fall into the same trap I did.

I love the domino and Festool sanders,  but the Kapex has to go.

 

[Rob in Vancouver]

I forgot to mention that I love my CT26 as well